Breathing problems also affect people who are very allergic to some types of shellfish, nuts, medications and insect bites. These people can suffer an allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock. This reaction begins within minutes of exposure to the substance causing the allergy. During this type of allergic reaction, the airways narrow, making it difficult to breathe. Soon, the heartbeat races and blood pressure drops. Anaphylactic shock can be fatal if a person is not treated within 15 minutes.

Breathing problems from some things may require emergency care.

In children they include:

• Wheezing (see page 263)
  
• Croup, a virus with a “barking cough” common in young children (see page 255)
  
• Diphtheria, which is a very contagious throat infection
  
• Heart defects children are born with
  

• Severe allergic reactions
  
• A face, head, nose or lung injury
  
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
  
• Harsh chemical burns in the air passages
  
• Epiglottitis, which is inflammation of the flap of tissue at the back of the throat that can close off the windpipe
  
• Choking (see page 298)
  
• Drug overdose
  
• Poisoning (see page 322)
  
• Asthma (see page 76)
  
• Bronchitis (see page 81)
  
• Pneumonia (see page 369)
  

• Emphysema (see page 348)
  
• Congestive heart failure
  
• Heart attack (see “Chest Pains” on page 150 and “Coronary Heart Disease” on page 343)
  
• Blood clot in a lung
  
• Collapse of a lung
  

• Avoid allergic substances or agents that induce asthma, if you have it.
  
• Do not walk, run or jog on roads with heavy automobile traffic.
  
• If you have a gas furnace, install a carbon monoxide detector.
  
• Never leave your car running in a closed garage.
  
• Make sure immunizations against childhood diseases, especially diphtheria, are up-to-date. This is part of the Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP) vaccination. (See “Immunization Schedule” on page 18.)
  
• If you smoke, quit.
  
• Keep small objects a child could choke on out of reach and do not give gum, (especially bubble gum), nuts, hard candy, or popcorn to children under 5 years old.
  
• Lock up all medications and poisonous substances so small children can’t get to them.
  

Has breathing stopped and is there no pulse?
Has breathing stopped, but there is a pulse?
Has breathing stopped due to choking on an inhaled object?
Are there signs of anaphylactic shock? Difficulty breathing Swollen tongue, eyes, or face Unconsciousness Difficulty in swallowing Dizziness, weakness Pounding heart Itching, hives
Are any of these problems present with difficulty in breathing? Signs of a heart attack such as chest pain, pressure, or tightness; pain that spreads to the arm, neck or jaw; irregular pulse. Serious injury to the face, head, or chest Signs of a stroke such as blurred or double vision, slurred speech, one-side body weakness or paralysis Signs of drug overdose such as drunkenlike behavior, slurred speech, slow or rapid pulse, heavy sweating, enlarged or very small eye pupils
Is it so hard to breathe that the person can’t talk (say 4 or 5 words between breaths) and/or is there wheezing that doesn’t go away?
Is blood being coughed up?
Does the difficulty in breathing occur with a cough in a baby and does it make the baby unable to eat or take a bottle?
Are any of these signs present? Breathlessness at night or at rest Pink or frothy phlegm being coughed up and/or A high fever along with rapid and labored breathing
Is a green, yellow, or gray mucus being coughed up?

• Wear a face mask that covers the nose and mouth, when outdoors. Most hardware stores carry inexpensive ones.
  
• Don’t smoke. Avoid secondhand smoke. This applies to anyone with breathing difficulties.
  
• Install an electronic air filtering system or use an air purifier in your home, especially in the bedroom. Tests show that air filters help clear the air of allergy-causing agents.
  

Breathing problems can be avoided or lessened if you:

• Do not rake leaves that have been on the ground for awhile. Molds and mildew grow on leaves after they’ve been on the ground for a few days.
  
• Keep your basement dry, well ventilated, and well lit. Use dehumidifiers and exhaust fans to reduce moisture in the air.
  
• Get rid of house plants.
  
• Avoid barns, chicken coops, damp basements, and attics.
  

See also: “Asthma” on page 76, “Bronchitis” on page 81, “Common Cold” on page 83, “Coughs” on page 85, and “Flu” on page 87.

Hives can be (but aren’t always) an allergic response to something you touched, inhaled, or swallowed. Some common causes of hives include:

• Reactions to medications such as aspirin, sulfa, and penicillin.
  
• Animal dander (especially from cats).
  
• Cold temperatures.
  
• Emotional or physical stress (including exercise).
  
• Foods (especially chocolate, nuts, shellfish, or tomatoes).
  
• Infections.
  
• Inhalants (especially pollen, mold spores, or airborne chemicals).
  
• Insect bites.
  
• Rubbing or putting pressure on the skin.
  
• Exposure to chemicals.
  
• Malignant or connective tissue disease.
  

Here are some tips for a case of ordinary, non-threatening hives:

• Don’t take hot baths or showers. Heat worsens most rashes and makes them itch more.
  
• Apply cold compresses or take a warm bath.
  
• Wear loose-fitting clothing.
  
• Relax as much as possible. Studies have shown that relaxation therapy and even hypnosis help ease the itching and discomfort of hives.
  
• Ask your doctor whether or not you should take an antihistamine and have him or her recommend one. Antihistamines can help relieve itching and suppress hives. (Keep in mind that antihistamines can cause drowsiness and may make it dangerous for you to drive or perform other tasks requiring alertness).
  
• Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. These may aggravate hives.
  

Questions to Ask

Do you have any of these problems? Shortness of breath and breathing difficulties Wheezing, dizziness Swollen lips, tongue, and/or throat
Did hives start after recently taking a medication?
Do you have itching that is constant, and/or severe or do you have a fever?

As you’d expect, most people who have been stung know it. The most common symptoms are limited areas of pain and swelling, with redness and itching. Beyond that, the symptoms of bee and wasp stings vary, depending on where you’re stung and how sensitive you are to the sting.

Take aspirin or acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium for the pain, and/or an antihistamine for the itching and swelling (provided you don’t have to avoid these medicines for medical reasons). [Note: Do not give aspirin or any medication containing salicylates to anyone 19 years of age or younger, unless directed by a physician, due to its association with Reye’s Syndrome, a potentially fatal condition.]

REMEDIES LISTED IN CAPITOL LETTERS REPRESENT MORE FREQUENTLY INDICATED REMEDIES

APIS: This medicine is good for red, inflamed insect bites from which children experience burning or stinging pain that is worse by heat or warm applications and relieved by cold or cool applications.

Hypericum: If children develop sharp or shooting pains from a bite or sting, consider this remedy.

LEDUM: This is the most common medicine for itching bites or stings from mosquitoes, bees, wasps, spiders, and rats. The itching from the bite or sting is relieved by cold applications and is sensitive to touch.

Staphysagria: When mosquito or other insect bites itch excessively or become large welts, this medicine should be given.

Copyright 1992 by Dana Ullman, M.P.H. used by permission of the author from the book Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Infants published by Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam.

For further information about homeopathic medicine, contact:

Homeopathic Educational Services

2124B Kittredge St.

Berkeley, CA. 94704

(510)649-0294

(510)649-1955 (fax)

Email: mail@homeopathic.com

One of the more common types of insect bites seen are from the hobo spider. From July until September the spiders are found in greater numbers throughout the Pacific Northwest. The spider is about the size of a silver dollar, including its hairy legs, and brown with gray markings. It will have parallel markings which run its length and may have a herring-bone pattern on its tail. They live in crawl spaces, wood piles, attics or anywhere spiders tend to hang out. They are not overly aggressive, but then, they probably will not ask you to tea either. Its venomous bite contains a venom and leaves a red mark which may be mistaken for a flea or bed bug bite. Initially the wound is sore but will develop into a blister in the next day or two. This is followed by a scab which may take up to a month or two to heal completely. Red marks left by bites have taken up to a year or more to completely disappear.

Some systemic effects such as headaches or rarely vomiting and diarrhea may be seen. If these occur, a physician should be consulted. Treatment initiated early will save suffering and discomfort later.

A few general rules for the treatment of insect bites will help prevent further spread and discomfort.

1. Wash the bite thoroughly with soap & water as soon after it has occurred as possible.

2. Ice the bite to decrease swelling and spread of venom.

3. Elevate the extremity to decrease swelling.

4. Observe for the spreading of redness which accompanies a bite; this may signify that the infection is spreading and needs to be evaluated by a physician.

5. An oatmeal poultice will help relieve itching if present.

6. Consider using homeopathic Apis, Urtica or Sulphur for the itching & swelling and Ledum if there is a stinger present in the bite.

Dr. Tom Kruzel practices in Portland, Oregon and can be reached at (503) 667-1961

Head lice are tiny parasites about the size of a sesame seed. These flat, wingless “bugs” survive by sucking human blood. Louse bites cause an intense itching and red spots on the skin that look like mosquito bites. The adult lice are rarely seen. Instead, you see what are called “nits”, clusters of lice eggs deposited on hair strands that are often mistaken for dandruff.

Lice spread quickly from person to person by direct contact with someone who has them. No matter how well-groomed and clean your child is, he or she can get them in school, from toilet seats or from anyone who already has them. Female lice lay about six eggs a day. The eggs hatch in eight to ten days, after which they soon begin their annoying biting.

There are three types of lice: Head lice, pubic lice and body lice. All are very attracted to body-heat. Head lice is the most common type, especially among children in day-care centers, camps and schools. Pubic lice, found on the pubic hair, is called the “crabs”, because the lice look like crabs. Body lice live in the seams of dirty clothes and bedding.

To prevent head lice, children should be told:

• Not to share hats, brushes or combs.
  
• Not to lie on a pillow shared with another child.
  
• To shampoo their hair and to bathe frequently.
  

• Change bed linens often and wash them in hot water and dry them in a dryer, especially during an epidemic of lice at school.
  
• Vacuum furniture, mattresses, rugs, stuffed animals and car seats if anyone in your family is infected with lice. Do not use insecticidal sprays for lice.
  
• Immediately notify anyone who may have been in close contact with your child to help prevent infecting others with lice. Be sure to contact:
  
  
  
  • Your child’s school.
    
  • Your child care provider.
    
  • Parents of your child’s friends.
    
  • Neighbors.
    
  
  
• Wash combs and brushes. Then soak them in hot, not boiling, water for 10 minutes.
  
• Check your children for head lice and nits at least once a week. Check more often if your child is scratching his or her head. Look for nits around the nape of the neck and behind the ears. Use two round toothpicks to spread hairs apart to look for nits.
  

Only insecticidal shampoos, lotions and creams kill lice. You can buy these products over-the-counter at your drug store. Your doctor can also prescribe medication to treat lice and kill the nits. All lice-killing products are pesticides, so must be used with caution and only as directed.

Everyone in your household should be checked for lice and nits. However, only treat those who are infested. Lice killing products are not to be used to prevent infestation.

When using an insecticidal shampoo:

• Follow the directions exactly as given, and:
  
  
  
  • Remove your child’s shirt.
    
  • Give your child a towel to cover his or her eyes. Do not use the shampoo around your child’s eyes.
    
  • Lean your child over the sink as you apply the shampoo. Do not put your child in the shower or bathtub; the shampoo should only be applied to the head and neck.
    
  
  
• Don’t use too much shampoo or you’ll make your child’s scalp too dry.
  
• If you have open sores on your hands, wear gloves or have someone else shampoo your child’s hair.
  

• Shine a flashlight into the scalp, or other infected body part. Nits may be gray and hard to see. If your child has blonde hair, check your child’s scalp carefully because the nits will be harder to find.
  
• Begin in one part of the scalp and move row by row, even strand by strand, when necessary.
  
• Remove nits from the hair strands with tweezers, safety manicure scissors, a nit-comb (available at the drug store), or your fingernails. Some products come with a fine-toothed comb you can use to dislodge the nits.
  
  
  
  • Before using the comb, dip it in hot vinegar. This will help loosen the nits.
    
  • Comb the hair from the scalp toward the ends. After each pass, check the comb for nits.
    
  • Or, using hair clips to hold the hair, separate it into 4 to 5 sections. Starting in one section, lift about an inch of hair upward and outward. Place the comb on the scalp and comb the hair from the scalp to its tip. Repeat for each section of hair.
    
  • Soak all combs, brushes and barrettes for several hours in the insecticidal shampoo or for 10 minutes in hot water.
    
  
  
• Check for nits every day for about 10 days.
  
• If necessary, shampoo again a week later to kill any newly hatched nits. It is not necessary to remove nits after treatment is completed, except for cosmetic purposes.
  

• Immediately wash bedding and clothing in water hotter than 125^oF. Heat kills the lice and destroys the nits. If an item cannot be washed, put it in an airtight plastic bag and seal. Do not open it for at least two weeks. Deprived of blood, the lice will die.
  
• Dry clean clothing and hats that cannot be washed.
  
• Vacuum all mattresses, pillows, rugs and upholstered furniture, especially in areas where children play. Using the long, narrow attachment, suck lice or nits out of car seats, toys, stuffed animals and other small areas. Dispose of the vacuum cleaner bags.
  

Questions to Ask

Are there open wounds on your child’s scalp caused by scratching?
Have you found lice or nits in your child’s eyebrows or eyelashes or on the hair shaft or skin?
Does your child’s scalp itch, do you see red bite marks and are lymph glands in the neck swollen?
If your child has lice, does he or she have allergies or other health problems, or is your child under 2 years of age?